The Clarence Park Fountain, donated by Lady Blundell Maple in 1894.

Museum Photography

The Clarence Park Fountain, donated by Lady Blundell Maple in 1894. This whole park is an example of Victorian philanthropy/benevolence (rich people being generous for the good of others). There were few open spaces for the people of the town to enjoy, notably, Bernards Heath (given by Earl Spencer) and the Victoria Playing Fields in Folly Lane. So when Sir John Blundell Maple gave this land to be a park for the people of the town to enjoy, it must have been greatly appreciated. It became the centre of sports, especially cricket. Sir John Blundell Maple was a famous racehorse owner. He made a fortune through the Maple furniture business, which he founded. He lived in Childwickbury. He was a good friend of the future Edward VII, and was an MP. He gave this land to the town's people to be a park for them to enjoy. He planned the park (there was no children's area in the original) and paid for all the planting and the construction of the buildings. He also paid for a fever hospital to be built. Two of his daughters had died of fever. Sir Blundell Maple was later made an honorary freeman of the city. The Duke of Cambridge opened the park in 1894. It was due to have been opened by Edward VII's oldest son, the Duke of Clarence, but he died shortly before. Maple had hoped to have a racecourse in the park however, the track he had constructed was too short and the racing authorities would not give him the go ahead. Instead, the area was and is used for cricket and other sports. Lady Maple wanted to make a contribution to the project and so she donated this water fountain (1894). It is no longer plumbed in, but it provided clear drinking water for people and for dogs. There used to be some little bronze cups for people to use. You can clearly see how worn the fountain steps are.

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Digital Camera

Lady Maple's fountain, Clarence Park, Clarence Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.